§ MR. YOUNGER (Ayr Burghs)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what statistics of population to acreage he based the proposals in the Licensing Bill for a reduction of on-licences to a statutory proportion to population; and whether he will lay the statistics upon the Table of the House.
§ MR. GLADSTONEMy right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The scale of statutory reduction was obtained by applying the principle recommended in Lord Peel's Report as 195 to the ratio of licensed premises to population in "town" and "country" respectively to the known variations in the density of the population in different areas, so as to form a graduated scale between the least and the greatest density. The general basis is to be found in the Census figures, but the mode in which the scale will operate will depend on the infinitely varying circumstances of every ward and parish. It is impossible to show these variations by statistics.
§ MR. YOUNGERMay I ask if the Government have launched their scheme entirely on the recommendations of the minority report of the Royal Commission, and without really inquiring into the effect of the application to the various districts of this reduction?
§ MR. GLADSTONEThe Government examined a great many sample cases, and came to the best conclusion they could.
§ MR. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the majority of the Commission made no such recommendation at all?
§ MR. GLADSTONEI do not know whether you wish us to accept all the recommendations of the majority Report.